Vinegar cleaning out a radiator?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Messages
134
Location
Fargo, ND
Hey group,

I have a 1994 Lexus ES300 that has been getting hot lately. I bought new upper and lower hoses, clamps, radiator cap, and thermostat. I started taking parts off to replace these items, and until I decided I might as well clean the radiator fins too. I pulled the radiator out and hosed it off, then ran water through the rad. No gunk came out, just water. However, when I looked inside, I could see white deposits inside the tubes. I guess that's the calcium I hear about.

This radiator is made of aluminum with plastic end caps. It is not leaking (yet). I figure since it's probably toasted, I might as well try to clean it out since I have nothing to lose. I have read on the internet that filling a radiator up with vinegar will dissolve this stuff rather easily, since vinegar dissolves mineral deposits. So right now, my radiator is soaking in vinegar.

Has anyone actually done this and had success? Did the radiator leak afterwards? I did see that copper radiators should not be treated this way.

If this doesn't work, I'll see about getting it steamed out before I buy a new one ($300!)

Andy
 
vinegar is too weak (typically 3% acetic acid)!

My recommendation is to go get some Prestone radiator flush that is basic (alkaline) and will not eat through your aluminium radiator core for it's much more potent than soaking in vinegar.

Q.
 
Prestone Radiator Flush isn't very strong. Use Prestone Super Radiator cleaner, it worked quite well for me. Do run it for the full 4-6 hr over a week.

If you are desperate, you can always try some TSP...but it might destroy your radiator. But hey, if you are going to get rid of it anyway...
wink.gif
 
Vinegar? Yeah that is to weak. I use Muriatic acid found at hardware stores. It's basically hydrochloric acid, I dilute it to 50/50 with water and dump it then run it for an hour or less. Then I run the system twice more with distilled water to fully flush out the acid and dissolved minerals.

I've done this in three different vehicles. '94 grand cherokee, '00 Chrysler sebring, and a (can't remember year '98 or something) Mercury sable.

I've had great results, especially with the Jeep, since previous owner used tap water to dilute coolant instead of distilled water.

Have had no problems since, I dump the radiators of the two above vehicles at scheduled intervals and all I see is green Prestone come out and I put new stuff in.
 
Use the radiator cleaner. Too many different metals to play with, The Prestone or Winns stuff should clean it up while circulating. I've cleaned out some really messed up radiators that way
 
Vinegar will work and the hotter the better. You don't want to use it in copper because it will dissolve the lead in the solder.

HCL and aluminum will tear things up fast.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top